Discretionary Discount Policy - Fylde Borough Council

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Council Tax and Business Rates Discretionary DiscountPolicy4. Discretionary Discounts – Customers not in receipt of local Council Tax ReductionRequests for reductions in Council tax liability will be required in writing from the customer,their advocate / appointee or a recognised third party acting on their behalfEach case will be considered on ‘its merits’ however all of the following criteria should bemet:• The Council’s finances allow for a reduction to be made.• There must be evidence of hardship or personal circumstance that justifies areduction in Council Tax Liability.• The Council must be satisfied that the customer has taken reasonable steps toresolve their situation prior to application.• The customer does not have access to other assets that could be realised and used topay the Council Tax.• The customer is not entitled to an award under the local Council Tax ReductionScheme.• All other eligible discounts/reliefs have been awarded to the customer.Responsible officerThe responsibility for making discretionary decisions will rest with the Chief Financial Officer,who will discharge this responsibility by the following process:The Decision Maker (Revenues Team Manger) will liaise with the applicant in each case torequest sufficient information in order that a decision can be made.Decision making processStage 1: The initial request will be dealt with by a decision maker (Revenues Team Manager)who will consider the application against the criteria set out in this policy, based upon theinformation provided by the applicant and known to the Council. The decision maker(Revenues Team Manager) will liaise with the applicant in each case to request sufficientinformation in order that a decision can be made.Stage 2: A Senior Revenues Manager will authorise the decision.Notification of decisionThe Council will notify the applicant of its decision within 28 days of receiving sufficientinformation to make a decision.Page 10 of 16
Council Tax and Business Rates Discretionary DiscountPolicyReview of decision/re-determination requestsUnder the Local Government Finance Act 2012 there is no right of appeal against theCouncil’s use of discretionary powers. However, the Council will accept an applicant’swritten request for a redetermination of its decision.Stage 1: The original decision and any additional information provided will be reviewed by adifferent decision maker who will recommend either to confirm or amend the originaldecision.Stage 2 The Assistant Treasurer (Head of Shared Revenues and Benefits Service) will considerthe application for review and the recommendation and determine whether to award adiscretionary discount.Notification of review/re-determination decisionThe Council will notify an applicant of its decision within 28 days of receiving a request for are-determination.Following the redetermination of a request for discretionary discount, there is no furtherright of appeal.Page 11 of 16
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Discretionary Discount Policy - Fylde Borough Council

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